Svema LN-9: a colour motion-picture negative from Shostka

Svema LN-9 is a masked colour negative cine film made for professional motion-picture work at the Svema factory in Shostka. This listing is for a hand-loaded 135 cassette with 36 exposures, cut from a 120 m roll of 35 mm film manufactured in June 1990.

A 1990 technical reference rates fresh LN-9 at no less than 100 GOST, with 70 lines/mm resolving power and 1.5 stops of exposure latitude. Those figures describe fresh stock and do not represent its condition after decades of ageing.

Exposure and expected results

The archive note for this specific batch gives a practical range of EI 1–3. Start at EI 1 and bracket at EI 1, 2 and 3 in strong daylight. Shoot a test cassette before using it for any important subject.

Colour shifts, base fog, reduced contrast, visible grain and frame-to-frame unevenness are all possible. Every cassette may behave differently: this is experimental material, not a route to predictable modern colour.

Processing

LN-9 was designed for a Soviet colour negative cine-film process. Standard C-41 is only an experimental cross-process for this stock, so agree processing with the lab before handing it in.

Sample photographs

The gallery includes Lomography community photographs shot on Svema LN 9 by egoriceman and filmshiver. They illustrate possible characteristics of the film but cannot guarantee the same result from this batch.

Specifications

  • format: 135, 36 exposures;
  • type: masked colour negative cine film;
  • factory speed: 100 GOST;
  • suggested starting point for this batch: EI 1–3;
  • source roll manufactured: 06/1990;
  • condition: heavily expired, results are not guaranteed.

Important before buying

Do not use this film for irreplaceable photographs. Refrigerate the cassette in a sealed bag, then let it reach room temperature before opening the bag.

Frequently asked questions

What ISO should I set on the camera?

For this batch, start at EI 1 and bracket at EI 2 and 3. The nominal 100 GOST rating applies only to fresh emulsion.

Can Svema LN-9 be processed in C-41?

Only as an experimental cross-process and after agreement with the lab. The original film was intended for Soviet colour negative chemistry.

Will my colours match the examples?

No result can be guaranteed. Storage, exposure, processing and the condition of each section of the source roll all affect the outcome.

Sources: 1990 technical reference and the Svema LN 9 gallery on Lomography. Reference · Lomography